Outdoor lighting luminaire



Oct. 24, 1967 FAHEY, R ETAL 3349,23

. OUTDOOR LIGHTING LUMINAIRE Filed June 21, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG!INVENTORS: RUSSELL c. DAHL CARL d. FREDRICKSON JAMES H. FAHEY, JR. LEONF. BONK ATT' YS Oct. 24, 1967 J. H. FAHEY, JR. ETAL 34,239

OUTDOOR LIGHTING LUMINAIRE Filed June 21, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 N m w EL K V H C m A m D L L E IV S L 5 Dn U A Du C Amman 45 We mm m mm mm mmM? g N- R vm JAMES H. FAHEY, JR. 7 LEON F. BONK Oct. 24, 1967 J- HFAHEY, JR, ETA!- I 39 OUTDOOR LIGHTING LUMINAIRE Filed June 21, 1965 4Sheets-Sheet 5 -FIG.7

FIGS

INVENTORS'. RUSSELL C. DAHL CARL d. FREDRlCKSON JAMES H. FAHEY, JR. LEONF. BONK ATT'Y Oct. 24, 1967 J. H. FAHE-Y, JR, ET AL OUTDOORLIGHTINGLUMINAIRE 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 21, 1965 & N R O. S m SRNLKJ T E C T V I. A NADHEK D H N CRFO L F. E J S SL N S MO A E RCJLUnited States Patent 3,349,239 OUTDOOR LIGHTING LUMINAIRE James H.Fahey, Jr., Chicago, Russell C. Dahl, Homewood, Carl J. Frederickson,Jr., Naperville, and Leon F. Bonk, Palos Park, 111., assignors to JoslynMfg. and Supply Co., Chicago, 111., a corporation of IlllllOiS FiledJune 21, 1965, Ser. No. 465,277 4 Claims. (Cl. 240-25) ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE There is provided an improved outdoor lighting luminaireincluding an elongated hollow housing or support which encloses theballast components. The luminaire support includes an upwardly openingsupport portion provided with a cover. The cover carries the ballastcomponents. An automatic disconnect connects the components of the coverand the remainder of the support structure so that the mere removal ofthe cover automatically separates the power disconnect so that there areno exposed live conductors or terminals which present a safety hazard tothe worker. In addition means are provided so that lamps of variouslengths may be supported in the luminaire with the center of the lamplight being main tained at the focal or geometric center of thereflectorrefractor assembly of the luminaire.

This invention relates to luminaires, and more particu larly, toluminaires which employ a high intensity ballasted light source suitablefor outdoor lighting of such areas as highways, parking lots, and thelike.

One common form of luminaires uses a mercury vapor lamp which requiresballasting means for operating the lamp. Such ballasting means arefrequently housed within the luminaire housing. The ballasting meansnecessary to operate a large size mercury vapor lamp is of substantialweight and the weight of the ballasting means requires that the housingbe made strong enough to support the ballast components. Moreover it isnot uncommon to provide further electric control means in the luminairesystem so that a photoelectric control unit automatically controls theon-otf of a single or multiple number of luminaires.

Heretofore difiiculty has been experienced in the servicing, testing,repair, and replacement of the ballast com ponents, photoelectric unit,and lamp. It is particularly desirable that the photoelectric unit andballast components may be removed from the luminaire and taken back tothe shop, after replacement, for testing and repair.

Moreover such luminaires commonly operate at voltages in the range of120480 volts. Since it is generally necessary to replace the luminairecomponents while the luminaire is supported above the ground from autility pole or other'structure, it is particularly desirable that theinput lead terminals to the luminaire be readily disconnected from theluminaire circuit during the repair and replacement of the components,and moreover, that the luminaire presents no exposed terminals or wireswhich may create a safety hazard.

As is well known, mercury vapor lamps of various wattages arecommercially available. Such different size lamps will have differentphysical dimensions. It is important in obtaining the proper lightdistribution from a luminaire that the center of light output of thelamp corresponds with the focal point of the reflector and refractor.Commercially it is desirable that a single light unit such as areflector-refractor unit be interchangeably useable with a selectednumber of different lamp wattages. Accordingly it is necessary to makeprovision to selectively support mercury vapor lamps of variousdimensions within the refractor-reflector assembly in order to positionthe lamp light output at the focal center of the reflector-refractorcombination.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide animproved mercury vapor luminaire which overcomes the above mentioneddifiiculties.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improvedmercury vapor luminaire.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improvedmercury vapor luminaire wherein the ballast components may be readilyremovable from the luminaire assembly for testing, repair, andreplacement.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved mercury vapor luminaire wherein there are no exposed terminalsor wiring during repair or replacement of the luminaire components by aServiceman.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved mercury vapor luminaire wherein means are provided forselectively mounting various size lamps within the luminaire.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthe following description proceeds and the features of novelty whichcharacterize the invention will be pointed out with particularity in theclaims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

Briefly stated, in accordance with the present invention, there isprovided an improved outdoor lighting luminaire including an elongatedhollow housing or support which encloses the ballast components. Theluminaire support includes an upwardly opening support portion providedwith a cover. The light assembly includes a lamp, lamp socket, andoptical assembly carried at one end of the support while the other endof the support is adapted to be connected to a suitable structure suchas a utility pole. The ballast components, which normally include aballasting transformer and a capacitor, are supported within the housingfrom the cover. Moreover, if desired, the cover can carry a socket for aphotoelectric unit. The cover with its associated components is readilyremovable from the luminaire support by the provision of a powerdisconnect in the form of a plug and socket arrangement whichinterconnects the cover with the sup port. In one embodiment, the coverwith its associated components may be readily separated for inspection,testing, repair, or replacement of the components by merely raising,sliding forward, and lifting off the cover and associated components,thereby automatically separating the power disconnect. Advantageouslythe components may be readily removed from the luminaire structure and,by providing a female socket on the support, there are no exposed liveconductors or terminals which present a safety hazard to the worker.

In another embodiment, the cover and its associated components may bereadily separated by merely lifting them off the luminaire body therebyautomatically separating the power disconnect.

According to another feature of the present invention, lamps of variouslengths may be supported in the luminaire with the center of the lamplight being maintained at the focal or geometric center of thereflector-refractor assembly. More specifically the luminaire isprovided with an annularly depending skirt extending downwardly from thesupport and having inwardly extending opposed proiections. A lamp socketmay be supported from the projections on the skirt, or alternately, theprojections may be removed and the lamp socket may be supported from astrap extending across the upper end of the skirt. In

2 this manner a single luminaire is adapted to support lamps of variouslength and to maintain the lamps with their center of light output atthe geometrical focal point of the reflector andrefractor assembly.

For a better understanding of the present invention,

reference may be had to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a luminaire according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a luminaire according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing illustrating the electrical system of theluminaire according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view, with the cover removed,illustrating a detail of a luminaire according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a broken away elevational view of the luminaire of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a partially disassembled view of the luminaire of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an elevational sectional view of the optical and lamp assemblyaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an elevational sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 7,illustrated with a differently sized mercury vapor lamp; and

FIG. 9 is a broken away elevational view of a luminaire according toanother embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a partially disassembled view of the luminaire of FIG. 9.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 8, there is illustrated an outdoor lighting luminaire 10according to the present invention. The luminaire 10 includes anelongated support forming a hollow housing 11 and inclined slightlyupwardly from the horizontal. An optical assembly 12 enclosing a lamp12a, FIG. 7, at its focal point is carried at the outer end of thesupport 11, while the other end of the support 11 is provided withsuitable bracket means 13 for securing the support 11 to a structuresuch as a utility pole 14.

Referring now to the support 11, the support 11 has a generally channelshaped support portion 18, open at the top, and closed by a cover 19.The cover 19 is provided with a handle 1% to facilitate removal andreplacement thereof. The cover 19 carries the ballast means 20 forcontrolling the light source 12. More specifically the ballast means 20normally includes a ballasting transformer 21 and a capacitor 22.Additionally the cover 19 may, if desired, be provided with a socket 23for receiving a photoelectric control unit 24.

To permit separation of the cover 19 from the support 11, and removal ofthe associated components, there is provided a suitable disconnectassembly 28 including a female disconnect block 29 having a plurality ofhorizontally opening plug receiving sockets 30, FIG. 4, and carriedwithin the housing by the housing portion 18. In the illustratedembodiment the female disconnect block 29 is positioned adjacent the endof the support 11 which is provided with the pole bracket means 13.Moreover the cover 19 is provided with a complementary male disconnectblock 31 having a plurality of horizontally extending plugs 32, FIG. 6,removably received in respective ones of the plug receiving sockets 30,and supported within the housing from the cover 19. Suitable conductorselectrically interconnect the male disconnect block 31 with theballasting transformer 21 and capacitor 22, and with the photoelectricunit 24 as best illustrated in FIG. 3. Additional electrical conductorsinterconnect the female disconnect block 29 with the light source 12.The female disconnect block 29 is adapted to be connected by suitableconductors 33 to the line wires. When the disconnect assembly 28 isunited, plugs 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d, FIG. 3, connect in sockets 30a,30b, 30c, and 30d, respectively, to connect the luminaire to the line.

A suitable lock, here shown in the form of a thumb screw 35, extendsthrough the lower wall of the housing portion 18 into a threaded openingto secure the cover to the housing portion 18.

As is well known in the luminaire field, the lamp 12a may be of the highpressure mercury vapor type supported in a suitable socket 41, FIG. 7,operatively positioned in the optical assembly 12.

Advantageously, according to another feature of the present invention,the luminaire 10 is adapted to accept lamps of selected dimensions, asillustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, and maintain the light source of the lampat the focal pointed geometric axis of the optical system 12 to providelight distribution of a predetermined pattern. More specifically theoptical assembly 12 includes a reflector 42 and an associated refractor43 which have a geometric shape to provide a predetermined lightdistribution pattern when a light source is maintained at the focalpoint or geometric center, indicated by the point x in FIGS. 7 and 8.The support 11 is provided with an annularly depending skirt 44depending downwardly from the support 11 and having opposed inwardlyextending projections 44a, FIG. 7 which are separable from the skirt toprovide for their selective removal therefrom. When the luminaire 10 isdesigned for use with a comparatively shorter lamp, as represented bylamp 12a, FIG. 7, the socket 41 will be supported from the projections44a, as by securing thereto with the screws 46. Thus the actual lightsource 45 within the envelope of the lamp 12a will be maintained atapproximately the focal point x of the optical assembly 12. When,however, the luminaire 10 is to be used with a longer lamp 12'a, FIG. 8,the projections 44a will be removed and the socket 41 will be mounted ona strap 46 extending across the upper end of the projecting skirt 44.Thus a light source 45' within the envelope of the lamp 12'a will bemaintained at the approximate focal point x of the optical system 12.Thus the same luminaire structure may be used for either the smallerlamp 12a, or for the longer lamp 12a, depending upon the selectivemounting of the lamp socket 41.

The bracket structure 13 includes an arcuately shaped end wall 48closing the housing portion 18 and adapted to closely fit around thepole 14. The end wall 48 is provided with a keyhole slot 49, FIG. 4, sothat the luminate 10 may be hung over the head of a bolt 50. A pair ofinwardly extending wedge shaped lugs 49a, FIG. 4, engage the head of thebolt 50 and prevent the bolt 50 from turning. Additionally, spaced belowthe keyhole slot 49, there is a pair of arcuately shaped outwardlyextending ears or projections 52 adapted to fit against the pole 14. Theprojections 52 are each provided with bolt holes 52a to receive suitablebolts 53. The bolts 50 and 53 may, of course, be of any suitable typeand, if desired, may be lag screws. Advantageously, bolt 50 is a throughbolt so that it may be tightened from the back side of the pole where aworkman has ample clearance around the luminaire 10, while the sidebolts 53 providing lateral stability are lag screws.

From the above detailed description, the operation of the improvedluminaire is believed clear. However, briefly, it will be understoodthat it is possible for a serviceman to service or replace thephotoelectric unit 24 with the luminaire assembled in position on thepole. Moreover, additionally, a serviceman may service or replace theballast components by first loosening the thumb screw 35, and thereafterslightly raising the outward edge 19a of the cover 19 by raising up onthe outward edge of the handle 1911. Thereafter the cover 19 may be slidoutwardly toward the optical assembly 12 to separate the powerdisconnector 28. The cover 19 along with the ballast components 20 maythen be lifted up and removed from the remainder of the luminaire 10 forservicing, repair, or replacement either on the ground or back in theshop. It will be noted that by the mere removal of the cover 19 thepower to the components, as well as to the lamp 12a, is disconnectedfrom the line, thereby providing a safe structure and permittingservicing of the components on the cover 19.

It will be seen that the power disconnect insures complete safety duringthe maintenance operations. All the components are disconnected from thepower source by simple removal of the top cover. Removal of the top issimple-a thumb screw is loosened and the cover is slid forward andlifted up. There is no need to ever touch electrical components withinthe luminaire while the power is connected. If necessary the completecover with the ballast and photoelectric control can be replaced with aspare and taken into the shop for maintenance or testing.

Moreover according to the present invention the improved luminaire iseasily installed with a through bolt and two lag screws. It is simplynecessary to install the through bolt on the pole, put the head of thebolt through the keyhole slotin the end wall of the luminaire and totighten the through bolt. As the bolt is tightened, the holding lugsprevent the bolt head from turning. After the bolt is tight, the two lagscrews at the two sides are driven through the holes provided in themounting strap to insure lateral stability.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a luminaire 60 according to another embodimentof the present invention wherein the cover and ballast means may beremoved by the mere removal of the fastening screws and the lifting upthereof. Such lifting of the cover and ballast assembly automaticallyseparates the power disconnect. Similar components of FIGS. 9 and 10 andFIGS. 1 through 8 are identified by the same reference numerals.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, the outdoor lighting luminaire 60includes the elongated support defined by the hollow housing 11 and theoptical assembly 12 carried at the outer end of the support 11. Theother end of the support 11 is provided wih suitable bracket means 13for securing the support 11 to a utility pole.

Referring now to the support 11, the support 11 has a generally channelshaped support portion 18, open at the top and closed by a cover 19'.The cover 19 is provided with a handle 19'b to facilitate removal andreplacement thereof. The cover 19' carries the ballast means 20 forcontrolling the light source. Additionally the cover 19 may, if desired,be provided with the socket 23 for receiving the photoelectric controlunit 24.

To provide for separation of the cover 19' from the support 11, andremoval of the associated components, there is provided a suitabledisconnect assembly 28' including a female disconnect block 29' having aplurality of vertically opening plug receiving sockets, and carriedwithin the housing by the housing portion 18. In the illustratedembodiment the female disconnect block 29 is positioned adjacent the endof the support 11 which is provided with the pole bracket means 13.Moreover the cover 19' is provided with a complementary male disconnectblock 31' having a plurality of vertically extending plugs 32', FIG. 10,removably received in respective ones of the plug receiving sockets, andsupported within the housing from the cover 19'. As heretofore describedsuitable conductors electrically interconnect the male disconnect block31 with the ballast means 20 and with the photoelectric unit 24 in likemanner as illustrated in the preceding embodiment. Additional electricalconductors interconnect the female disconnect block 29 with the lightsource. The female disconnect block 29' is adapted to be connected bysuitable conductors 33 to the line wires. When the disconnect assembly28 is united, the plugs 32' connect in respective ones of the sockets inthe female disconnect block 29'.

Suitable fastenings or screw can extend through the cover 19' into thehousing portion 18 to secure the cover to the housing portion 18.

Although the present invention has been described by reference tovarious embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that numerous othermodifications and embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the artand it is intended by the appended claims to cover all modifications andembodiments which will fall within the true spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:

1. An outdoor lighting luminaire comprising an elongated support forminga hollow housing, said housing including a generally channel shapedhousing portion and a generally inverted channel shaped cover; means atone end of said support for securing said support to a suitable polestructure with said support inclined slightly upwardly from thehorizontal; light source means carried by said support at its other endand including a lamp socket adapted to receive a high pressure mercuryvapor lamp, and reflector means and refractor means both operativelypositioned relative said lamp socket; a female disconnect block having aplurality of horizontally opening plug receiving sockets and carriedwithin said housing by said housing portion adjacent said one end ofsaid support and adapted to be connected to line wires; conductor meanselectrically interconnecting said lamp socket and said block; a maledisconnect block having a plurality of horizontally extending plugsremovably received in respective ones of said plug receiving sockets andsupported within said housing by said cover; ballast means supportedwithin said housing by said cover; photocontrol receiving means carriedby said cover; conductor means electrically interconnecting said maledisconnect block, said ballast means, and said photocontrol receivingmeans; and lock means securing said cover to said support.

2. An outdoor lighting luminaire comprising an elongated support forminga hollow housing, said housing including an upwardly opening housingportion and a cover for said housing portion; means at one end of saidsupport for securing said support to a suitable pole structure; lightsource means carried by said support at its other end and including alamp socket adapted to receive an electric lamp, and reflector means andrefractor means both operatively positioned relative said lamp socket; afemale disconnect block having a plurality of plug receiving sockets andcarried within said housing by said housing portion and adapted to beconnected to line wires; conductor means electrically interconnectingsaid lamp socket and said block; a male disconnect block having aplurality of plug removably received in respective ones of said plugreceiving sockets and supported within said housing by said cover;ballast means supported within said housing by said cover; photocontrolreceiving means carried by said cover; conductor means electricallyinterconnecting said male disconnect block, said ballast means, and saidphotocontrol receiving means and lock means securing said cover to saidsupport.

3. An outdoor lighting luminaire comprising an elongated supportincluding an upwardly opening housing portion and a cover; light sourcemeans carried at one end of said support and including an opticalassembly defined by a reflector and a refractor, and a lamp socket, saidreflector and refractor having a common focal point and having ageometrical shape for directing light from said focal point in apredetermined pattern; and an annularly depending skirt extendingdownwardly from said support means and having inwardly extending opposedprojections readily frangible from said skirt, said skirt being adaptedto support said lamp socket from said projections or to have saidprojections removed and to support said lamp socket from a strapextending across the upper end of said skirt to provide for receivinglamps of selective lengths and maintaining the center of lamp light atthe focal point of the optical assembly; a first disconnect blockcarried within said support by said housing portion; conductor meanselectrically interconnecting said lamp socket and said block; a seconddisconnect block removably connected with first disconnect block andsupported within said support by said cover; ballast means supportedwithin said housing by said cover; and conductor means electricallyinterconnecting said second disconnect block and said ballast means.

4. A lighting luminaire adapted to selectively receive various sizelamps and comprising support means; an optical assembly carried by saidsupport means and including a reflector and a refractor having a commonfocal point and having a geometrical shape for directing light from saidfocal point in a predetermined pattern; and an annularly depending skirtextending downwardly from said support means and having inwardlyextending opposed projections readily frangible from said skirt, saidskirt supporting a lamp socket from said projections, or having saidprojections removed and supporting a lamp socket from a strap extendingacross the upper end of said skirt to provide for receiving lamps ofselective length and maintaining the center of lamplight at the focalpoint of the optical assembly.

8 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1931 Smith 24078 X 3/ 1954Elmer 24025 8/1957 Greger 240-13 1/1963 Queale 240-25 8/ 1966 Rex 240-25FOREIGN PATENTS 1/1959 Italy.

NORTON ANSH-ER, Primary Examiner.

DAVID L. JACOBSON, Assistant Examiner.

1. AN OUTDOOR LIGHTING LUMINAIRE COMPRISING AN ELONGATED SUPPORT FORMINGA HOLLOW HOUSING, SAID HOUSING INCLUDING A GENERALLY CHANNEL SHAPEDCOVER; MEANS AT ONE GENERALLY INVERTED CHANNEL SHAPED COVER; MEANS ATONE END OF SAID SUPPORT FOR SECURING SAID SUPPORT TO A SUITABLE POLESTRUCTURE WITH SAID SUPPORT INCLINDED SLIGHTLY UPWARDLY FORM THEHORIZONTAL; LIGHT SOURCE MEANS CARRIED BY SAID SUPPORT AT ITS OTHER ENDAND INCLUDING A LAMP SOCKET ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A HIGH PRESSURE MERCURYVAPOR LAMP, AND REFLETOR MEANS AND REFRACTOR MEANS BOTH OPERATIVELYPOSITIONED RELATIVE SAID LAMP SOCKET; A FEMALE DISCONNECT BLOCK HAVING APLURALITY OF HORIZONTALLY OPENING PLUG RECEVING SOCKETS AND CARRIEDWITHIN SAID HOUSING BY SAID HOUSING PORTION ADJACENT SAID ONE END OFSAID SUPPORT AND ADAPTED TO THE CONNECTED TO LINE WIRES; CONDUCTOR MEANSELECTRICALLY INTERCONNECTING SAID LAMP SOCKET AND SAID BLOCK; A MALEDISCONNECT BLOCK HAVING A PLURALITY OF HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING PLUGSREMOVABLE RECEIVED IN RESPECTIVE ONES OF SAID PLUG RECEIVING SOCKETS ANDSUPPORTED WITHIN SAID HOUSING BY SAID COVER; BALLAST MEANS SUPPORTEDWITHIN SAID HOUSING BY SAID COVER; PHOTOCONTROL RECEIVING MEANS CARRIEDBY SAID COVER; CONDUCTOR MEANS ELECTRICALLY INTERCONNECTING SAID MALEDISCONNECT BLOCK, SAID BALLAST MEANS, AND SAID PHOTOCONTROL RECEIVINGMEANS; AND LOCK MEANS SECURING SAID COVER TO SAID SUPPORT.